Legend has it that during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, an old shepherd who grazed his flock on the mountainside year-round discovered something strange.
He noticed a peculiar herb growing among the trees and bushes on the mountain where he grazed his sheep. Its leaves were shaped somewhat like apricot leaves and were a lush, oily green.
This strange herb grew incredibly fast, reaching heights of one to two feet.
When the rams ate this herb, they would become extremely aroused, mating with the ewes far more often than before. The old shepherd found this utterly astonishing.
One day,
while gathering herbs, Tao Hongjing happened to meet the old shepherd.
During a break in conversation, the old shepherd told him about this strange occurrence.
Though the shepherd spoke casually, the listener's ears perked up.
